#kingzire

Finding Ronan was like a needle in a hay stack! Despite the village not being very big, everyone was working hard with taking care of each other from the cubs to keeping the tents strong and finally having enough food and supplies to keep all the gnolls happy. Female guards were stationed  at the entrance as well as different sections of the village. The warriors were in charge of hunting and sharpening their skills with training. That left the male gnolls to make sure the cubs and tents were well kept. 

Being the son of Hades and Persephone, I had the luxuries of being spoiled. Never had I imagined the roles of a male gnoll were tough if not daunting. I helped where I could and luckily as I turned the corner I bumped into Ronan. Well if you could call it lucky...

"Hey! Mind your own cub! Oh...it's you." 

"Woah easy Ronan. It's me, Nikolai." 

"Nikolai, huh? So you lied to us about being a Prince 'Ishkah' I take it? I thought you weren't up to no good. What are you doing here then?" 

"Hey, I admit I should have told you all my true name. But please I mean no trouble and I am not going to harm your family or the gnoll village. I kept my true name hidden because I am not from this world. Please understand I just want help and live a 'normal' life." I sighed glad that no one was hopefully within eavesdropping distance. 

After admitting the truth about keeping my name a secret, we finally came to an agreement. Not only that but in exchange for knowing how to impress a female gnoll, I got to help take care of a litter of cubs. There were four in all and surprisingly from the same mother. Their fur color was a chocolate brown and eyes wide with curiosity for the big world they came into. I had no idea that gnolls could give birth to that many at once. Despite their cute appearances, they were quite a handful that was for sure.

Eventually though, Ronan and I worked as a team to get all four cubs into bed for their nap time. I wiped my brow sitting down on the makeshift sofa nearby resting for a moment before looking up to see Ronan coming in with two handfuls of water.

"Not easy taking care of four cubs is it? I hope you are prepared to become a responsible mate soon. In order to impress my older sister Genova you'll have to show them  that you can provide for them as well as take care of a family. They'll soon be in heat and if they become pregnant, which is pretty much what's going to happen, you can't show any weakness."

I nearly choked on the water. Eyes wide as I heard what Ronan just mentioned. There was apparently a lot I had to prepare for especially if I was to become Genova's mate. If I had to take care of them and have a family then I won't back down from my responsibilities. To give my beloved a great happy life means that I'll have to give it my all for sure.

"It may not be easy, but taking care of cubs is a great responsibility. You look like a natural with them, Ronan. Is that the reason why you stay in the village?" I asked seeing as Genova's brother looked to be about if not of the age to leave the village and find his own path.

"Huh. Looks like you aren't a coward our father. I stayed because I don't have a reason to leave the village. Right now I am content helping out everyone here. It might be stressful at times, but being a part of the family is worth it and maybe if I find a partner I'll settle down with them then. That a good answer for you, Nikolai?"

Despite what my first impression of Ronan was, now I can see how strong their family bond really is. He wasn't a coward! Actually quite the opposite. Genova's brother had the same spark as his mother. I may not know about Ronan's birth father, but at least now we were starting to get to know one another better. I was glad to call Ronan my brother and friend.

"So...are you ready to show Genova what you are made of?"